Melda Roache Clark: Mental Health Speaker

MY JOURNEY WITH MENTAL ILLNESS…

When I was just a little girl, something happened that would rock my world forever. I was sexually abused. As a child, I didn’t give it much thought and went merrily on my way.

My brain, however, did not know how to process this information, so it got tucked it away in a secret place where it stayed undetected for almost thirty years.

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Looking back, I can see that it affected my life from that day until this very moment. In my view, it broke my brain in a way that could never be repaired. The abuse led to perfectionism, people pleasing, eating disorders and major clinical depression.

“A Broken Mind is a beautiful event that marries the hard realities of living with mental illness with humour and dignity. Melda is candid in the telling of her story which can only bring hope to those who suffer and awareness to the people who love them.”

— Leslie Brethour Ernsting

BUT THE STORY DOESN’T END THERE…

The fallout from sexual assault and mental illness can derail our lives, hopefully, FOR A SEASON, but not forever. It can interrupt educational dreams, destroy relationships, steal career aspirations, alienate us from loved ones who do not believe us, BUT it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.

I feel I have walked barefoot on a tightrope across shark-infested waters. The sharks could have eaten me, but they did not. With help from family, friends, colleagues, health professionals, I have managed to carve out a new life.

Today, I am enjoying my life, even with its warts, cellulite, wrinkles, age spots and double chins. When I look in the mirror I see an accomplished woman, wife, mother, and grandmother who is a survivor, an overcomer, champion and an advocate for those who are struggling.

A STORY OF HOPE AND RECOVERY FOR EVERYONE…

Recently, I recorded my story on CD at Harbourtone Productions (Shelburne, NS).

I have completed the following programs to increase my knowledge and understanding of mental illness.

Suicide First Aid (A.S.I.S.T.) , a program by Living Works facilitated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).Mental Health First Aid offered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).Mental Health Concerns in Children and Youth provided by the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute Canada (CTRI).Workshop for Friends, Partners and Allies of Abuse Survivors of all Genders by American psychotherapist, Mike Lew (An 8-hour seminar)